AGRICULTURAL

ELECTRIFICATION
SHEILA C. COGAY
CHAPTER 7 - ELECTRICAL CONTROLS

Open-Loop and Closed-Loop Systems

Switches and Relays
Sensing Elements
Combinations of Controls
Planning Control Systems
INTRODUCTION

Control System is a device or set of devices that manages, commands,

directs or regulates the behavior of other devices or systems.
Electrical Controls - are devices that allow to regulate the flow of electrical
energy and thereby control electrical equipment such as lights, motors,
generators and heaters.
It has the ability to safely and accurately control equipment, hence its use in
agriculture is continually increasing.
Accurate and reliable.
1. OPEN-LOOP AND CLOSED-LOOP SYSTEMS

Open-Loop System
a system in which control action is
independent of the output of the system. Input Control Process Output
Air
Operates without the feedback loop. Power Switch Fan
Temp
Closed-Loop System
A system in which control action is
dependent on the output. Input Control Process Output

The output is constantly monitored and Thermostat feedback

adjusted to the required value by the system.
1. OPEN-LOOP AND CLOSED-LOOP SYSTEMS

Process variable eg. The temperature in the building being ventilated.

Feedback the flow of energy or information back from the process to
the controller.
Modulating system is a system that undergoes process of conveying
message signal (eg. The load on a conveyor may be used as feedback to
control conveyor speed or temperature in a building to control the rate
of fuel flow into the burner.)
1. OPEN-LOOP AND CLOSED-LOOP SYSTEMS
OPEN CLOSED
Examples: Examples:
Electric hand drier Automatic electric iron
Automatic washing machine Voltage stabilizers
Bread Toaster DC motor speed control by Tachometer
Missile launcher
Advantages: Advantages:
Simple construction and design Accuracy is high
Economic, but needs operator Reduced effect of non-linearties
Easy maintenance High bandwidth
Stability Facilities automation
Disadvantages: Disadvantages:
Incorrect and unreliable Complicated in design and high maintenance
Internal Disturbance Stability problem
Recalibration is required from time to time
1. OPEN-LOOP AND CLOSED-LOOP SYSTEMS

OPEN CLOSED
No feedback. Feedback exists.
No error detector. Error detector present.
Inaccurate Accurate
Highly sensitive to parameter changes Less sensitive
Small bandwidth Large bandwidth
Stable May become unstable
Economical Costly
2. SWITCHES AND RELAYS

Simple switches and more complex controls are classified according to

the actions the switch can perform.
The number of poles the switch has
The number of throws the switch has
Whether the switch is normally open or normally closed
2. SWITCHES AND RELAYS

Each movable contact is called a pole.

defines how many separate circuits the switch can control.
Each stationary contact is called a throw.
defines how many positions each of the switchs poles can be connected to.
2. SWITCHES AND RELAYS

Single-pole, single-throw (SPST)

Its got one output and one input. The switch will either be closed or
completely disconnected. SPSTs are perfect for on-off switching. SPST switches
should only require two terminals.
2. SWITCHES AND RELAYS

Single-pole, double-throw (SPDT)

have three terminals: one common pin and two pins which vie for connection to
the common.
are great for selecting between two power sources, swapping inputs, or
whatever it is you do with two circuits trying to go one place.
2. SWITCHES AND RELAYS

Double-pole, double-throw (DPDT)

Basically two SPDT switches, which can control two separate circuits, but are
always switched together by a single actuator.
DPDTs should have six terminals.
2. SWITCHES AND RELAYS

If the switch must be actuated to complete the circuit, it is designated

normally open (NO).

If the switch must be actuated to open the circuit, it is designated normally

closed (NC).
2. SWITCHES AND RELAYS

Knife switch consists of hinged metal blades

(movable contacts) and metal clips (stationary
contacts) into which the blades fit.

Toggle-type switch are accustomed to using in

lighting controls.
It is moved from one position to another by moving
an external handle called toggle.
2. SWITCHES AND RELAYS

Mercury switch the switch is closed by liquid

mercury completing a circuit between a set of fixed
contacts.
Tilting the tube makes or breaks the circuit because of the
motion of the mercury.
Ex: auto trunk light
Push-button switch - also known as biased switch or
"momentary switch" where the user will push-for "on"
or push-for "off" type. This is also known as a push-to-
make (SPST Momentary) or push-to break (SPST
Momentary) mechanism.
2. SWITCHES AND RELAYS

Snap-action switch widely used for limit switches.

Requires very small forces to actuate and quickly snaps
from one position to the other.
Electromagnetic relays are very useful in controlling
relatively large electrical loads with a second low-power
circuit.
2. SWITCHES AND RELAYS

Time delay relays are commonly used to avoid

having a number of large loads starting
simultaneously.
Thermal delay relays in the unheated condition
the bimetal strip is straight. As the strip is heated by
current in the control circuit through the heater, it
bends.
3. SENSING ELEMENTS

1. Temperature
2. Humidity
3. Time
4. Light
3. SENSING ELEMENTS

Temperature
Known as thermostats.
Uses expansion or contraction of a bimetallic strip to sense temperature.
Hydraulic thermostat is consists of a liquid-filled tube mechanically
connected to an electrical contact mechanism.
3. SENSING ELEMENTS

Humidity
Known as humidistats.
They may use human hair or more commonly some other materials which
responds to changes in moisture or humidity by changing its length.
3. SENSING ELEMENTS

Time Control
Used in open-loop control systems.
Time clocks generally use cams controlling snapaction switches to open or
close the control circuit at specified time intervals.
3. SENSING ELEMENTS

Light Control
A photocell senses light.
Street lights or yard lights can be automatically turned on and off by a
photocell. Photocells use materials which can be exposed to light change
resistance
When the cell is exposed to light its resistance decreases, the current
increase, and the relay is activated.
4. COMBINATIONS OF CONTROLS

If the load is to be activated by the change in any one of a number of

elements, then sensing elements are connected in parallel.

If the load is to be activated only when all the sensing elements are in
the correct position, then it should be connected in series.
5. PLANNING CONTROL SYSTEMS

1. Open-Loop and Closed-Loop Systems

2. Switches and Relays
3. Sensing Elements
4. Combinations of Controls
5. Planning Control Systems